Chain reconditioning devices and methods

ABSTRACT

A device is adapted to be coupled to a conveyor system and recondition at least one chain of the conveyor system. The device includes a base and at least one attachment element coupled to the base. The attachment element is adapted to detachably couple the device to the conveyor system. At least one reconditioning element is coupled to the base, and the reconditioning element is adapted to engage and recondition the chain as the chain moves relative to the reconditioning element. At least one biasing element is coupled to the reconditioning element, and the biasing element urges the reconditioning element away from the base and into engagement with the chain.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/981,037, filed Dec. 28, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,808,904, and titled“CHAIN RECONDITIONING DEVICES AND METHODS,” the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to devices andmethods for reconditioning conveyor chains. In certain embodiments, thepresent disclosure specifically relates to selectively attachabledevices for reconditioning conveyor chains.

BACKGROUND

Manufacturing of various types of consumer products, including dairyproducts, typically includes using one or more conveyor systems tofacilitate transporting products within a manufacturing facility. Suchconveyor systems often include a frame that carries one or more drivablechains, which in turn carry and thereby transport containers carryingthe consumer products. When such chains carry these containers, thechains may develop defects (for example, sharp edges and/or protrusions)over time. The defects can damage the containers carried thereon.Typically, the defects are removed from chains by temporarilydiscontinuing use of the conveyor system, removing the chains from theframe, and/or reconditioning the chains. However, such a process is notdesirable because it is time-consuming and results in system downtime.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, the present disclosure addresses the above problemsby attaching a chain reconditioning device to a conveyor system at theend of a production shift. The chain reconditioning device includes oneor more reconditioning elements (for example, two abrasive pads) thatengage and abrade one or more chains (for example, two chains) as thechains relative to the frame, thereby removing defects from the chains.The reconditioning elements are biased toward the chains (for example,via one or more springs) to facilitate movement of the reconditioningelements and applying appropriate forces against the chains.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a device adapted tobe coupled to a conveyor system and recondition at least one chain ofthe conveyor system, the device comprising: a base; at least oneattachment element coupled to the base, the attachment element beingadapted to detachably couple the device to the conveyor system; at leastone reconditioning element coupled to the base, the reconditioningelement being adapted to engage and recondition the chain as the chainmoves relative to the reconditioning element; and at least one biasingelement coupled to the reconditioning element, the biasing elementurging the reconditioning element away from the base and into engagementwith the chain.

The device described herein above, wherein the attachment elementcomprises a screw, the screw being rotatable relative to the base tocause translation of the screw relative to the base to detachably couplethe device to the conveyor system.

The device(s) described herein above, wherein the attachment element isa first attachment element, the first attachment element is disposed ona first side of the base, and further comprising a second attachmentelement coupled to the base on a second side of the base opposite thefirst side, the second attachment element being adapted to detachablycouple the device to the conveyor system.

The device(s) described herein above, wherein the reconditioning elementcomprises an abrasive pad.

The device(s) described herein above, wherein the biasing element urgesthe reconditioning element linearly away from the base and intoengagement with the chain.

The device(s) described herein above, wherein the biasing elementcomprises a compression spring, the compression spring being compressedbetween the base and the reconditioning element to urge thereconditioning element linearly away from the base and into engagementwith the chain.

The device(s) described herein above, further comprising a shaftcarrying the compression spring and coupled to the reconditioningelement, the shaft being translatably coupled to the base to facilitatelinear translation of the reconditioning element relative to the base.

The device(s) described herein above, further comprising a supportcoupled to the shaft opposite the base, the reconditioning element beingdetachably coupled to the support.

The device(s) described herein above, wherein the compression spring isa first compression spring, the shaft is a first shaft, and furthercomprising: a second compression spring, the second compression springbeing compressed between the base and the reconditioning element to urgethe reconditioning element linearly away from the base and intoengagement with the chain; and a second shaft carrying the secondcompression spring and coupled to the support, the second shaft beingtranslatably coupled to the base to facilitate linear translation of thereconditioning element relative to the base.

The device(s) described herein above, wherein the abrasive pad comprisesa coarseness of 24 grit.

The device(s) described herein above, wherein the spring comprises aspring constant of 20 lbs. per inch.

The device(s) described herein above, wherein the spring applies a 40lb. force to the abrasive pad.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a device adapted tobe coupled to a conveyor system and recondition at least one chain ofthe conveyor system, the device comprising: a base; at least onereconditioning element coupled to the base, the reconditioning elementbeing adapted to engage and recondition the chain as the chain movesrelative to the reconditioning element; and at least one biasing elementcoupled to the reconditioning element, the biasing element urging thereconditioning element linearly away from the base and into engagementwith the chain.

The device described herein above, wherein the reconditioning elementcomprises an abrasive pad.

The device(s) described herein above, wherein the biasing elementcomprises a compression spring, the compression spring being compressedbetween the base and the reconditioning element to urge thereconditioning element linearly away from the base and into engagementwith the chain.

The device(s) described herein above, further comprising a shaftcarrying the compression spring and coupled to the reconditioningelement, the shaft being translatably coupled to the base to facilitatelinear translation of the reconditioning element relative to the base.

The device(s) described herein above, further comprising a supportcoupled to the shaft opposite the base, the reconditioning element beingdetachably coupled to the support.

The device(s) described herein above, wherein the compression spring isa first compression spring, the shaft is a first shaft, and furthercomprising: a second compression spring, the second compression springbeing compressed between the base and the reconditioning element to urgethe reconditioning element linearly away from the base and intoengagement with the chain; and a second shaft carrying the secondcompression spring and coupled to the support, the second shaft beingtranslatably coupled to the base to facilitate linear translation of thereconditioning element relative to the base.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method forreconditioning at least one chain of a conveyor system, the methodcomprising: providing a device comprising: a base; at least onereconditioning element coupled to the base; at least one biasing elementcoupled to the reconditioning element; coupling the device to theconveyor system; engaging the reconditioning element with the chain; andmoving the chain relative to the reconditioning element, wherein thebiasing element urges the reconditioning element linearly away from thebase to maintain engagement of the reconditioning element with the chainand the reconditioning element reconditions the chain.

The method described herein above, further comprising decoupling thedevice from the conveyor system.

The method(s) described herein above, wherein the device furthercomprises at least one attachment element, and coupling the device tothe conveyor system includes engaging the attachment element with theconveyor system.

The method(s) described herein above, wherein the attachment elementcomprises a screw, and engaging the attachment element with the conveyorsystem includes rotating the screw relative to the base to causetranslation of the screw relative to the base.

The method(s) described herein above, wherein the attachment element isa first attachment element disposed on a first side of the base, furthercomprising a second attachment element coupled to the base on a secondside of the base opposite the first side, and wherein coupling thedevice to the conveyor system includes engaging the second attachmentelement with the conveyor system.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description, which shows and describesillustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings anddetailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature andnot restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chain reconditioning device accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure coupled to a conveyor system.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the chain reconditioning device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the chain reconditioning device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the chain reconditioning device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the chain reconditioning device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a detail perspective view of two attachment elements of thechain reconditioning device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a detail perspective view of a reconditioning element of thechain reconditioning device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for reconditioning a chain of aconveyor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

It should be understood that the drawings are intended facilitateunderstanding of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are notnecessarily to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a conveyor system 10 including a frame 12 thatmovably carries one or more drivable chains 14. The chains 14 carry andthereby transport containers carrying consumer products when drivenrelative to the frame 12. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplaryembodiment of a chain reconditioning device 110 that is selectivelyand/or removably attachable to the conveyor system 10. The chainreconditioning device 110 may be coupled to the conveyor system 10 toremove defects from the chains 14, for example, at the end of aproduction shift.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the chain reconditioning device 110generally includes a base 112 and one or more attachment elements 114A,114B, 114C, 114D that are coupled to the base 112. The attachmentelements 114A, 114B, 114C, 114D detachably couple the chainreconditioning device 110 to the frame 12 of the conveyor system 10. Thechain reconditioning device 110 also includes one or more reconditioningelements 116A, 116B that are coupled to the base 112. The reconditioningelements 116A, 116B each engage and recondition one of the chains 14 asthe chains 14 move relative to the reconditioning elements 116A, 116B.The chain reconditioning device 110 further includes one or more biasingelements 118A, 118B coupled to the reconditioning elements 116A, 116B.The biasing elements 118A, 118B urge the reconditioning elements 116A,116B away from the base 112 and into engagement with the chains 14.These aspects and further details of the chain reconditioning device 110are described in further detail below.

Still referring to FIGS. 2-5, the base 112 includes a first elongatedelement 120A and a second elongated element 120B that extend from afirst side 122A of the base 112 to a second side 122B of the base 112.In some embodiments, the first elongated element 120A and the secondelongated element 120B may extend substantially parallel to each other(that is, parallel within 10 degrees). The first elongated element 120Aand the second elongated element 120B are coupled to each other via afirst bracket 124A and a second bracket 124B (see FIG. 3) disposed atthe first side 122A and the second side 122B of the base 112,respectively. As described in further detail below, the first elongatedelement 120A and the second elongated element 120B may each include aplurality of elongated slots 126 disposed opposite the reconditioningelements 116A, 116B.

With reference now to FIGS. 2-6, the attachment elements 114A, 114B,114C, 114D detachably couple the chain reconditioning device 110 to theconveyor system 10. In some embodiments and as shown in the figures, thechain reconditioning device 110 may include four attachment elements114A, 114B, 114C, 114D, although other numbers of attachment elementsare also contemplated (that is, one to three, five or more). In someembodiments, one or more attachment elements may be disposed on oppositesides 122A, 122B of the base 112. For example, a first attachmentelement 114A and a second attachment element 114B may be coupled to thefirst elongated element 120A and disposed on the first side 122A and thesecond side 122B of the base 112, respectively. A third attachmentelement 114C and a fourth attachment element 114D may be coupled to thesecond elongated element 120B and disposed on the first side 122A andthe second side 122B of the base 112, respectively.

In some embodiments and referring specifically to FIG. 6, eachattachment element 114A, 114B, 114C, 114D includes a plate 128 coupledto the first elongated element 120A or the second elongated element 120Bon the first side 122A or the second side 122B of the base 112. Theplate 128 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the elongatedelement (that is, perpendicularly within 10 degrees). The plate 128includes a threaded nut 130 that overlies a through hole 132 thatextends through the plate 128. The nut 130 couples to a threaded screw134 that extends through the nut 130 and the through hole 132.Alternatively, the through hole 132 may be threaded, and the screw 134may be coupled to the through hole 132. In either case, the screw 134 isrotatable relative to the plate 128 to cause translation of the screw134 relative to the plate 128. Such translation of the screw 134facilitates detachably coupling the device 110 to the conveyor system10.

In some embodiments and still referring specifically to FIG. 6, thescrew 134 may include a shaft 136 that defines threads 138. Opposite thethreads 138, the shaft 136 couples to a handle 140 that facilitatesrotation of the screw 134 relative to the nut 130 and plate 128. Thehandle 140 may extend substantially perpendicularly to the shaft 136(that is, perpendicularly within 10 degrees).

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5 and specifically FIG. 7, the chainreconditioning device 110 further includes one or more supportassemblies 142A, 142B that detachably carry the one or morereconditioning elements 116A, 116B. In some embodiments and as shown inthe figures, the chain reconditioning device 110 may include a number ofsupport assemblies 142A, 142B corresponding to the number ofreconditioning elements 116A, 116B. That is, each support assembly 142A,142B detachably couples to one of the reconditioning elements 116A,116B. Alternatively, a support assembly may carry a plurality ofreconditioning elements, or a plurality of support assemblies may carrya single reconditioning element.

Still referring to FIGS. 2-5 and 7, each support assembly 142A, 142Bincludes a structure that facilitates linear translation of the coupledreconditioning element 116A, 116B relative to the base 112.Specifically, each support assembly 142A, 142B includes a first bracket144A and a second bracket 144B that are coupled to the first elongatedelement 120A and the second elongated element 120B, respectively,opposite the plurality of elongated slots 126. The first bracket 144Aand the second bracket 144B include a first through hole 145A and asecond through hole 145B, respectively, that translatably receive afirst shaft 146A and a second shaft 146B, respectively. The first shaft146A and the second shaft 146B extend through the first through hole145A and the second through hole 145B, respectively, and into the firstelongated element 120A and the second elongated element 120B. The firstshaft 146A is translatably received by one of the slots 126 of the firstelongated element 120A. Similarly, the second shaft 146B is translatablyreceived by one of the slots 126 of the second elongated element 120B.Proximate the elongated slots 126 and opposite the first bracket 144Aand the second bracket 144B, the first shaft 146A and the second shaft146B may include a stop element (for example, a removable pin 148) thatengages the elongated element to inhibit the shaft from detaching fromthe elongated element.

Proximate the first bracket 144A and second bracket 144B, the supportassembly 142A, 142B includes the biasing elements 118A, 118B. Thesupport assembly 142A, 142B may include two biasing elements 118A, 118B,as shown in the figures, although different numbers of biasing elementsare also contemplated (specifically, one or three or more). The firstbiasing element 118A and the second biasing element 118B may becompression springs (for example, 20 lb-0.12 wire compression springs).The first compression spring and the second compression spring arecarried by the first shaft 146A and the second shaft 146B, respectively.To urge the reconditioning element 116A, 116B away from the base 112 andinto engagement with a chain 14, the first compression spring and thesecond compression spring are disposed between the first bracket 144Aand the second bracket 144B, respectively, and a plate 150 coupled tothe first shaft 146A and the second shaft 146B. The plate 150 includes athreaded through hole 152 for detachably coupling to a screw of one ofthe reconditioning elements 116A, 116B.

The reconditioning elements 116A, 116B engage and recondition the chains14 as the chains 14 are driven and move relative to the reconditioningelements 116A, 116B. The device 110 may include a number ofreconditioning elements corresponding to the number of chains of theconveyor system. Alternatively, the device 110 may include a pluralityof reconditioning elements for each chain 14, or one reconditioningelement that reconditions multiple chains simultaneously or at differenttimes (for example, by repositioning the chain reconditioning device 110to engage the reconditioning element with different chains). In someembodiments and as shown in the figures, the reconditioning elements116A, 116B are abrasive pads (for example, 24 grit, 4.5 inchdepressed-center wheels). In some embodiments and as shown in thefigures, the reconditioning elements 116A, 116B have disk shapes.

The components of the chain reconditioning device 110, specifically thebase 112, the attachment elements 114A, 114B, 114C, 114D, and thesupport assemblies 142A, 142B, may be formed of various materials (forexample, steel) and may be coupled in various manners (for example,welding). The dimensions of the components of the chain reconditioningdevice 110 can be selected to accommodate a particular conveyor system.Furthermore, chain reconditioning devices according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure may be reconfigurable to accommodate conveyorssystems of different configurations. For example, the first bracket 144Aand second bracket 144B are shown as being fixedly coupled to the firstelongated element 120A and the second elongated element 120B (via weldedconnections), respectively. As a result, the support assemblies 142A,142B are fixed in a length direction of the elongated elements 120A,120B. Alternatively, the first bracket 144A and the second bracket 144Bmay be movably or detachably secured to the first elongated element 120Aand the second elongated element 120B (for example, via fasteners), tofacilitate repositioning the support assemblies 142A, 142B and thereconditioning elements to accommodate conveyor systems with differentchain layouts.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an exemplary method 200 for reconditioning oneor more chains of a conveyor system is illustrated. The followingdescription illustratively refers to the chain reconditioning device110, although it is understood that the method 200 may be employed inconnection with any of embodiments contemplated herein. The method 200begins at block 202 by providing the chain reconditioning device 110. Atblock 204, the chain reconditioning device 110 is coupled to theconveyor system. In some embodiments, coupling the chain reconditioningdevice 110 to the conveyor system includes positioning the chainreconditioning device 110 over the conveyor system. Alternatively, thechain reconditioning device 110 may underlie the conveyor system or bepositioned in any other manner and/or location in which thereconditioning elements 116A, 116B may engage the chains. In someembodiments, coupling the chain reconditioning device 110 to theconveyor system includes engaging the attachment elements 114A, 114B,114C, 114D with the conveyor system (for example, by rotating the screws134 relative to the base 112 to thereby translate the screws 134relative to the base 112). At block 206, the reconditioning elements116A, 116E are engaged with the chains. In some embodiments, couplingthe chain reconditioning device 110 to the conveyor system causes thereconditioning elements 116A, 116B to engage the chains. At block 208,the chains are moved (that is, energized and driven) relative to thereconditioning elements 116A, 116B. As the chains move, the biasingelements 118A, 118B urge the reconditioning elements 116A, 116B linearlyaway from the base 112 to maintain engagement of the reconditioningelements 116A, 116B with the chains, and the reconditioning elements116A, 116B recondition the chain. At block 210, the chain reconditioningdevice 110 is decoupled from the conveyor system. In some embodiments,decoupling the chain reconditioning device 110 from the conveyor systemincludes disengaging the attachment elements 114A, 114B, 114C, 114D fromthe conveyor system (for example, by rotating the screws 134 relative tothe base 112 to thereby translate the screws 134 relative to the base112).

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplaryembodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer toparticular features, the scope of this invention also includesembodiments having different combinations of features and embodimentsthat do not include all of the above described features.

The following is claimed:
 1. A device adapted to be coupled to aconveyor system and recondition at least one chain of the conveyorsystem, the device comprising: a base; at least one attachment elementcoupled to the base, the attachment element being adapted to detachablycouple the device to the conveyor system; at least one reconditioningelement coupled to the base, the reconditioning element being adapted toengage and recondition the chain as the chain moves relative to thereconditioning element; and at least one biasing element coupled to thereconditioning element, the at least one biasing element comprising aspring, the spring urging the reconditioning element away from the baseand into engagement with the chain.
 2. The device of claim 1, whereinthe attachment element comprises a screw, the screw being rotatablerelative to the base to cause translation of the screw relative to thebase to detachably couple the device to the conveyor system.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the attachment element is a first attachmentelement, the first attachment element is disposed on a first side of thebase, and further comprising a second attachment element coupled to thebase on a second side of the base opposite the first side, the secondattachment element being adapted to detachably couple the device to theconveyor system.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the reconditioningelement comprises an abrasive pad.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein theabrasive pad comprises a coarseness of 24 grit.
 6. The device of claim5, wherein the spring comprises a spring constant of 20 lbs. per inch.7. The device of claim 5, wherein the spring applies a 40 lb. force tothe abrasive pad.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the spring comprisesa spring constant of 20 lbs. per inch.
 9. The device of claim 1, whereinthe spring applies a 40 lb. force to an abrasive pad.
 10. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the spring urges the reconditioning element linearlyaway from the base and into engagement with the chain.
 11. A deviceadapted to be coupled to a conveyor system and recondition at least onechain of the conveyor system, the device comprising: a base; at leastone reconditioning element coupled to the base, the reconditioningelement being adapted to engage and recondition the chain as the chainmoves relative to the reconditioning element; and at least one biasingelement coupled to the reconditioning element, the at least one biasingelement comprising a compression spring, the compression spring beingcompressed between the base and the reconditioning element to urge thereconditioning element linearly away from the base and into engagementwith the chain.
 12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a shaftcarrying the compression spring and coupled to the reconditioningelement, the shaft being translatably coupled to the base to facilitatelinear translation of the reconditioning element relative to the base.13. The device of claim 12, further comprising a support coupled to theshaft opposite the base, the reconditioning element being detachablycoupled to the support.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein thecompression spring is a first compression spring, the shaft is a firstshaft, and further comprising: a second compression spring, the secondcompression spring being compressed between the base and thereconditioning element to urge the reconditioning element linearly awayfrom the base and into engagement with the chain; and a second shaftcarrying the second compression spring and coupled to the support, thesecond shaft being translatably coupled to the base to facilitate lineartranslation of the reconditioning element relative to the base.